Building Name

Maria Louise Gardens and Lodge Palatine Road Didsbury

Date
1903
Street
Palatine Road
District/Town
Didsbury, Manchester
County/Country
GMCA, England
Client
Mrs Josephine Silkenstadt
Work
New Build

Mrs Josephine Silkenstadt of West Didsbury has presented to the Withington District Council, for the use of the public as a recreation ground, to be known as the Marie Louisa Gardens. The ground is on the left side of Palatine Road, a little distance beyond Barlow Moor Road, on the way to Northenden, and its value, with the ornamental boundary wall, caretaker’s house and other buildings, is estimated at £15,000. The formal opening will take place in June, when the grounds will be handed over completely fitted for their purpose. [Manchester Guardian 24 April 1903 page 7]

The Gardens were opened by Mrs Silkenstadt on 13 June 1903; the official opening ceremony took place at the south entrance on Dene Road. James Kenyon the ex-member of Parliament for Bury and a relative of Mrs Silkenstadt later spoke on her behalf.  The gardens extended to approximately five acres with the principal entrance by way of ornamental iron gate and a broad flight of stone steps from Palatine Road, and a south entrance on Dene Road. The entire cost, including the price of the land was estimated at about £15,000. Initially, there were 72 different types of tree planted in the Gardens which boasted many species not seen before.

Reference    Manchester Guardian24 April 1903 page 7
Reference    Manchester Guardian 15 June 1903 page 10